Ashley Romans - Actor of the Month for February 2026

1. Has there been a Casting Director who has really championed or supported you in your career journey? 

Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA, Victoria Hoffman, and Rose Brochner, CSA. I feel grateful to have them championing me in my corner. They aren’t just champions of booking work but really expanding, growing and bettering the craft of acting and performing. I feel heartened that we have professionals like them in this industry that truly value and respect actors. 

2. What is the project you’re most proud of, and why? 

It's hard to choose just one. I’ve had the chance to be part of so many amazing things. I will say FX’s Y: The Last Man. I’m really proud of that amazing world and story Eliza Clark and so many other producers created. It’s the longest I’ve ever been on location. I got to meet and work with some really amazing people in front of the camera and behind the scenes. I’m proud of the writers, producers, directors, and fellow cast, and the overall questions the show asked. I’ll sneak in this one more and if you want you can cut it out. In 2023 I did a world premiere of a play at a Hollywood theatre called Kill Shelter. It was a cast of 4 people. Small cast, small theatre, but big story with a VERY big heart. I’m so proud to have been part of Ashley Rose Wellman and Shaina Rosenthal’s vision. They told a very special story about second chances, redemption through the lens of a very specific mother and daughter relationship. These two projects are the kind of story telling I gravitate towards. Lastly, I’ll toss in a very cool action movie called No Nation written and directed by Jeffrey Elmont. He’s a great director with an exciting vision. I’m happy for that movie to make the festival circuit. I’m proud of all the training and preparation we got to do as a cast. We learned a very specific type of soccer/football combination and actually played out in the desert. The training and filming were demanding but we got through it as a team. 

3. What or who inspired you to pursue acting as a career? 

I’ve had so many cheerleaders. My high school acting teacher Mr. Dennis Hooper. My college professors Grant Kretchick. They were invaluable in developing my confidence and encouraged me to expect a career in this passion I pursued. Also, my manager Mark Schumacher is an invaluable teammate. He always calls at just the right time. Especially in a business with more no’s than yeses he always has the positivity and highest thought about any given situation. 

4. What was your first IMDbPro credit and how did you feel when you saw it? 

My first professional IMDbPro credit was for Showtimes I’m Dying Up Here. I honestly thought: Now I can tell my mom to Google me.” 

5. How has IMDbPro helped you either to market yourself or connect with other industry professionals? 

I am so grateful for the research feature on IMDb. Getting to see the folks I have in common with other industry professionals makes this industry feel significantly less vast and daunting. I specifically remember doing a series with a really incredible actress. Although I did not share a scene with this fellow guest star, I really admired her work when I saw the final product. I looked her up and she is not on social media (good for her) so I researched her on IMDbPro and I reached out to her manager just to pass on the message that I was very touched and moved by her work on the guest star she did on this series. It was nourishing for me to express my gratitude for her work. 

6. Any funny or memorable casting room stories you can share?  

Recently I had an in-person callback for this really cool independent project. I thought it went well but I never heard anything back. That’s not unusual. A couple weeks have passed and I already forgot about it. A few months later I’m at the gym and a man comes up to me and says “‘excuse me, are you Ashley?” I said “yes…?” I didn’t recognize him from Adam. He said “Oh I’m so and so I’m one of the producers on that project you auditioned for a few months back! I just wanna say you were fantastic. One of the best. We wanted to cast you; you’re just not the right age. We considered even rewriting it to fit you, but it just wouldn’t work with the story.” I was flattered enough to hear that but then he added, “I’m also an actor, and it felt really affirming to be in the room and witness you do such great work and also see that we can’t cast you. It was affirming to see that sometimes the best person doesn’t get the job.” That man really gave me a gift that day when he said that. I hope all actors understand that sometimes it's not about you and how good you are. Just if the pieces fit. And it's humbling too. Sometimes I get the job even when I’m not the best. And sometimes I’ll do my best and not get it. But still, we just show up and do the work and leave it on the table because this is what we want to do. On a more humbling note: In 2015, one of my first auditions in LA, I auditioned for a super low budget project. They told me on the spot I didn’t get it but they asked if they could use my apartment as the location. I admire the hustle of that team. I hope they’re well. The lesson in this last story is: Make your own work! 

7. If you could play any character in any movie, past or present, who would it be and why? 

GOSH! I can only dream. I’m answering this in my head and heart, but I have to stay quiet about it. So maybe it will come true. 

8. What show or movie that you’re currently watching or have watched countless times could you nerd out about forever? What do you love about it? 

I always nerd out over Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice. I mean, I just think that is one of the best, most random, most unpredictable, awe-inspiring performances. 

9. Tell us a fun fact about you outside of acting. 

I really love Capoeira! Have you heard of it?!? It’s my new favorite thing!